Alvin Lyles

Mr. Lyles taught me to love jazz. I was 18 attending Santa Monica College. Today, I am sitting in North West Connecticut this morning listening to Kind of Blue on vinyl . Its a legendary album from a legendary trumpet player Miles Davis. My world did not intersect with the world of jazz growing up. But I developed a love for Jazz that's lasted and flourished through my adult life because I was lucky enough to take a class about jazz with Mr. Alvin Lyles. He did what he set out to do with...

I was deeply saddened to hear of Mr Lyles' passing. I regret not being in a position so I could´ve learned more and benefitted from the wisdom, encouragement and instruction the he afforded so many of his students. Unfortunately, 1974-1975 was a very difficult period in my life - so difficult that my parents pulled me out of Muir after two years and sent me to a private school for my junior and senior years. I feel like I missed out in many ways and regret that things weren´t different....

He introduced me to the real Jazz at Santa Monica College. Was listening to Dave Brubeck so I decided to google him and found this page. Great teacher.

He was the best, and often in my thoughts - always the music

I was Alvin's friend and neighbor for 20 + years, in the San Fernando Valley, when he was teaching at Santa Monica City College. We continued to be friends when he moved Arizona. I have so many fawn memories of our time together. I heard that" Death leaves a heartache on one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal. Al, thank you for the time we had together. Blessing you forever.

Discipline. Al drove us to march and play our best. I can still hear him say, “Go back. Do it again!” until we got it right. The result was some impressive halftime shows, of which we could all be proud. Later in his first year at John Muir High School, he demanded that same discipline in the band room in preparation to earn a superior rating at the Arizona State University concert band competition, and an appearance in the Command Performance concert that evening.

The discipline...

I am honored to have been one of the many hundreds of students upon whom Mr Lyles had a profound impact. He taught not only music but also life skills and values to his students, such as honor, duty, respect, tolerance, and love. He was one of those people who, even when he had to correct you (which he did a few... ok, a LOT of times with me!) you always knew he was doing so because he genuinely cared about the kind of adult I would someday become. I hope I made you proud Mr Lyles, you are...

Al Lyles was my teacher, my mentor, my friend. I pursued a career as a middle-school music teacher largely due to his influence. He was a gifted musician and a passionate educator. He loved music, teaching, and his students. The impact he had on the lives of many of his students is evidenced in the loving and grateful tributes that have been posted. I will miss him terribly.

You taught us about life with good humor, trust, kindness, and authority. You epitomized the best that a teacher can offer. You even took time with me and I wasn’t one of your students. Carry on now that you are an angel in heaven! JMHS ‘73